IPS On Diversity Podcast Institute Of Policy Studies

In 2019, the word “they” was announced as the world of the year, a pronoun referring to a single person whose gender identity is non-binary. As the political movements driven by identity politics continue to clash against traditional values in the West, the conversations surrounding neo-pronouns and the fluidity of gender identity has grown louder in Singapore as well.

In the ninth and final episode of Season 4, the episode delves into the evolving landscape of gender identity and pronouns. Our host, Liang Kaixin, is joined by Dr Michelle Ho, Assistant Professor of Feminist and Queer Cultural Studies of the National University of Singapore, Chloe Ang, a Master’s student, and Muddarius Husayn, an advocate and artist. They explore the complexities of the pronoun movement and the challenges for acceptance and inclusivity in Singapore's diverse society.

Chloe and Muddarius shared on their individual exploration of non-binary and queer identities. Chloe shares their journey navigating life as a non-binary individual in a cisgender relationship, highlighting the fluidity and personal nature of gender identity. Muddarius, assigned male at birth and identifying as queer and gender-fluid, discusses the struggle of fitting into societal norms and the importance of self-identification.

Dr Ho gave her academic perspective; she noted a generational gap in understanding gender identity and the significance of pronouns. She emphasises the need for respect and understanding in addressing non-binary individuals, suggesting practices like introducing oneself with preferred pronouns to foster inclusivity.

Find out more about pronoun movement and identity politics in Singapore:


RICE Media (21 October 2021): Pronouns & Neopronouns Decoded — Beyond Labels and Performativity
Asia One (29 June 2022): They/them? Here's how gender-neutral pronouns work
Time (1 May 2023): How Gen Z Changed Its Views On Gender

About our guests:

Dr Michelle Ho, Assistant Professor, Department of Communications and News Media, National University of Singapore

Michelle H. S. Ho (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Feminist and Queer Cultural Studies in the Department of Communications and New Media at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Her research interests lie at the intersections of gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity, affect and emotion, and media and popular cultures in contemporary (East) Asia. Her latest monograph, which explores trans/gender issues in late capitalist Tokyo, Japan through an ethnographic study of josō (male-to-female crossdressing) and dansō (female-to-male crossdressing) cafe-and-bars, is forthcoming with Duke University Press. More information can be found at: michellehsho.com.

Chloe Ang, Master’s Student, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Yale-NUS College  

Chloe Ang (they/them) is a student at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Yale-NUS College, pursuing their love for public policy and philosophy. In their spare time, they love creative writing, collecting Hello Kitty merchandise and watching drag queens talk for hours.

Muddarius Husayn, Advocate / Artist

Someone who believes in a world that can be better if we communicate effectively.

More from On Diversity


Season 4 Episode 8: Speaking English and the Mother Tongue with Dr Teo Kay Key, Research Fellow at IPS, and Kishan Singh, Science Educator
Season 4 Episode 7: Girl Math and the Gender Gap in STEM Field with Sieren Lim, Associate Professor at NTU, and Ainul Md Razib, Founder AinLovesCode
Season 4 Episode 6: Youth and Climate Anxiety with Melissa Low, Research Fellow at NUS and Darren Quek, Principal of Forest School Singapore
Season 4 Episode 5: Youth and Caregiving with Tan Poh Lin, Senior Research Fellow at IPS and Jason Leow
Season 4 Episode 4: Home Alone and Adulting with Chew Han Ei, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at IPS and Klinsen Soh
Season 4 Episode 3: Hustle Culture and Quiet Quitting with Laurel Teo, Senior Research Fell

Is Singapore’s population losing its grip on mother tongue languages as we become more proficient in English? Two surveys by the Institute of Policy Studies on race, religion and language, found that while proficiency in English has risen, all ethnic groups have become less proficient in mother tongue languages.

The eighth episode of the IPS On Diversity Podcast dive into the intricate mix of language, identity, and culture of Singapore. Liang Kaixin hosts the discussion with Dr Teo Kay Key, IPS Research Fellow, and Kishan Singh, a science educator who embarked on formally learning his mother tongue, Hindi, in his mid-20s.

Dr Teo sheds light on the paradox of English proficiency in Singapore, where the mastery of the English language, while opening global doors, seems to have diluted proficiency in official mother tongues such as Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. This decline in linguistic diversity sparks a deeper conversation about the loss of cultural identity and the implications for Singaporeans navigating their multilingual heritage.

Kishan shares his personal journey, highlighting the challenges faced by non-Tamil Indian Singaporeans in connecting with their cultural roots through language. His experience underlines the broader societal and educational dynamics that influence language learning and retention among Singapore's minorities.

In closing, the discussion touches on possible policy recommendations to Singapore’s approach to language education. Dr Teo and Kishan propose innovative approaches to language learning that prioritise interest, relevance, and the removal of the stigma and shame associated with speaking mother tongues and dialects.

Find out more about adulting and housing in Singapore:


CNA (21 August 2022): Bad at Mother Tongue? What some parents are doing to help young ones be more fluent
Straits Times (31 October 2023): Becoming proficient in English has come at a cost for many Singaporeans

About our guests:

Teo Kay Key, Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Studies

Dr Teo Kay Key is Research Fellow at IPS Social Lab at the Institute of Policy Studies. She has a PhD in Political Science from the National University of Singapore. Her research interests are in political and social attitudes, public opinion, voting behaviour, and Singapore society. She is interested in examining these topics using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods. Her current projects examine a myriad of issues in Singapore, including attitudes towards the family, social norms and values, and national identity.

Prior to joining IPS, she worked in the civil service for nearly three years doing strategic planning, training, and policy work.

She also has a Masters in Political Behaviour from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom and a Bachelors in Social Science from the Singapore Management University

Kishan Singh, Adult learner of Hindi language, Science Educator

Kishan Singh is a science educator with over 10 years of teaching experience, both in local and international schools. He also completed a secondment at the Ministry of Education concentrating on policy work around international students in our local schools. Since his MA in Science Education, he has an interest in how different groups perceive science, and how informal education, through social media and podcasts, has the potential to engage and involve wider audiences. He also does a podcast with his best friend called T42 available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

More from On Diversity


Season 4 Episode 7: Girl Math and the Gender Gap in STEM Field with Sieren Lim, Associate Professor at NTU, and Ainul Md Razib, Founder AinLovesCode
Season 4 Episode 6: Youth and Climate Anxiety with Melissa Low, Research Fellow at NUS and Darren Quek, Principal of Forest School Singapore
Season 4 Episode 5: Youth and Caregiving with Tan Poh Lin, Senior Research Fellow at IPS and Jason Leow
Season 4 Episode 4: Home Alone and Adulting with Chew Han Ei, Ad

"Girl math," a TikTok trend where young women humorously rationalise their spending in ways that defy conventional math have sparked conversations surrounding gender stereotypes and gaps. In this episode of IPS On Diversity Podcast, we delve into the world of "Girl Math" and the persisting gender gap in STEM fields. Featuring Dr Sierin Lim, Associate Professor of Bioengineering from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Associate Dean of Global Partnerships at the NTU Graduate College, and Ms Ainul Md Razib, a full stack software engineer and tech career influencer, founder of AinLovesCode, and member of Women Who Code. The discussion unpacks the underlying causes of the gender disparity in STEM careers in Singapore.

Despite equal mathematical abilities among genders in schools, a significant drop-off occurs as women progress in their academic and professional journeys. The episode explores the societal and psychological barriers contributing to this trend, including confidence issues and deeply ingrained stereotypes.

Dr Lim, who champions community developments and initiatives towards empowering women in STEM careers, shares insights from her research on the representation of women in STEM and their career trajectory. She highlighted the impact of supportive environments from family, educational institutions, and workplaces in fostering women's sustained interest and growth in STEM fields.

Ms Ainul, drawing from her personal journey and interactions within the tech community, emphasises the importance of support networks in overcoming the challenge of stereotypes, and the critical role of positive representation in encouraging more women to embark on and thrive in STEM careers.

Find out more about Girl Math and the Gender Gap in STEM field:


NTU Study (4 March 2022): STEM Gender Gap in Singapore
UNESCO Courier (15 December 2022): Paradox in Singapore: Women steering clear of maths careers
Today (20 September 2023): #trending: 'It's basically free' — women jump on 'girl math' trend to justify spending. Some say it's fun, others warn of potential harm

About our guests: 

Sierin Lim, Associate Professor of Bioengineering, Nanyang Technological University, Associate Dean of Global Partnerships, NTU Graduate College

Sierin Lim is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at the School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU). Her research group focuses on repurposing nature-derived materials by designing and engineering biological entities for applications in health and the environment. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and PhD in Biomedical Engineering from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). She received the L’Oreal-UNESCO Singapore for Women in Science National Fellowship in 2013 and was named Singapore 100 Women in Tech Inaugural List in 2020. In addition to her research work, Sierin is championing community developments at NTU and in Singapore, particularly women in STEM initiatives. She founded the Biomedical Engineering Society (Singapore) Student Chapter in 2009, co-founded Women@NTU in 2018 and Society of Women Engineers Singapore in 2021 of which she is the Vice President (Academic). She is leading the Ministry of Education-funded Promotion of Women in Engineering, Research, and Science (POWERS) programme and is currently serving as the Associate Dean of Global Partnerships at the NTU Graduate College.

Ainul Md Razib, Full Stack Software Engineer, Founder, AinLovesCode

Ainul is the founder of Ain Loves Code, an educational social media brand that provides tips and advice on breaking into the tech industry. A software developer with over two years of experience in the IT sector, she actively advocates for better representation and diversity in the IT sector, and has partnered with a variety of organisations to raise awareness of tech learning and career opportunities, such as Google Singapore, Gir

A study published in 2021 found that 59 per cent of 10,000 young adults surveyed are extremely worried about climate change, with many experiencing negative effects on their daily lives. This phenomenon, termed "climate anxiety", is characterised by feelings of helplessness and fear due to the perceived enormity and complexity of climate change issues.

In conjunction with IPS’ annual flagship conference, Singapore Perspectives 2024, themed around the topic of youths, the sixth episode of the "IPS On Diversity" Season 4, delves into the psychological and emotional impact of climate change on young people. Host Liang Kaixin is joined by Melissa Low, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, and Darren Quek, Principal of Forest School Singapore and a climate activist.

Melissa and Darren discuss their personal experiences with climate anxiety and the broader implications of this emotional state on society. The conversation touches upon the role of media in shaping perceptions of climate change and the potential impact of climate anxiety on future demographic trends, like decisions around starting a family.

The discussion concludes with suggestions for addressing climate anxiety, including seeking mental health support, and engaging in community and grassroots activities. The episode provides insights into the emotional toll of environmental issues on younger generations and the need for mental health support in the face of climate change.

Find out more about adulting and housing in Singapore:


Straits Times (17 July 2023): Green Pulse Podcast: Climate change is a mental health issue   
Channel News Asia (30 March 2023): Commentary: Is ‘climate anxiety’ a clinical diagnosis? Should it be?
Asian Scientist (23 March 2023): The Climate Anxiety Issue 

About our guests:

Melissa Low, Research Fellow, Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore

Melissa Low is a Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions. At the Centre, Melissa leads Continuing Education and Training. She previously worked at the Energy Studies Institute, NUS where she carried out research projects on a range of energy and climate issues of concern to Singapore and the region. She has participated in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) for over a decade and is an active sustainability thought leader, authoring, publishing and presenting at various forums.

She is the Designated Contact Point for NUS’s accreditation to the UNFCCC and currently serves as interim co-focal point on the nine-member Steering Committee of the Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organisation (RINGO) Constituency under the UNFCCC. Melissa holds an LLM in Climate Change Law and Policy (with distinction) from the University of Strathclyde, MSc in Environmental Management and BSocSci (Hons) in Geography from NUS. For her Master’s thesis on past and contemporary proposals on equity and differentiation in shaping the 2015 climate agreement, Melissa was awarded the Shell Best Dissertation Award 2013. She is currently pursuing a PhD part-time at the NUS Department of Geography.

Outside of work, Melissa started an eco-friendly/ social book swop movement in Singapore, called Books and Beer, which has been featured in The Straits Times, The Business Times, Bangkok Post and The Wall Street Journal’s Scene Asia Blog.

Darren Quek, Principal, Forest School Singapore

Darren is the Principal of Forest School Singapore (FSS). He has spent 15 years in the field of Education, starting from a simple Assistant Trainer for Robotics and Game Programming, till where he is now, a Principal for FSS and Trail Blazer for Forest School Education in Singapore.

He started the first Forest School in Singapore in 2016, after learning from and understudying from his Me

The complex dynamics of caregiving within families, especially for the “sandwich generation” juggling the care of both children and elderly parents, is a growing concern amongst Singaporean youths. The fifth episode of the "IPS On Diversity" Season 4, hosted by Liang Kaixin, explores the challenges faced by the “sandwich generation” and possible solutions.

In conjunction with IPS’ annual flagship conference, Singapore Perspectives 2024, themed around the topic of youths, this episode features Dr Tan Poh Lin, IPS Senior Research Fellow, and Jason Leow, a youth caregiver who is also the sole breadwinner. They explore how younger generations, like Jason, balance the responsibilities of caring for their ageing parents while raising their own children, often within the same household. This setup reflects a shift in Singapore's social structure, where traditional extended family support is evolving in the face of modern living constraints and societal changes.

The discussion also touches on the emotional and financial aspects of caregiving, the impact of caregiving on women’s work and life satisfaction, and the role of government and community in supporting caregivers. Dr Tan and Jason provide insights into the realities of intergenerational care, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to address the challenges faced by today’s sandwich generation in Singapore.

Find out more about adulting and housing in Singapore:


Straits Times (28 June 2023): Caught in the middle: How the sandwich generation can ease the squeeze  
Channel News Asia (28 September 2022): Sandwich generation: How can those caring for the elderly and children take care of their finances?
Straits Times (5 September 2021): Courses and support networks help young caregivers facing burnout

About our guests: 

Tan Poh Lin, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Studies  

Tan Poh Lin is Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Governance and Economy Department. Her research focuses on women’s fertility, health and work-life balance in the contexts of extremely low fertility rates in Singapore and Asia. She is Principal Investigator of the Singapore Time to Conception Study and Youth Outlook on Life Opportunities study. She serves as the Secretary of the Population Association of Singapore.

Previously, she was a population policy officer at the National Population Secretariat (now the National Population and Talent Division) within the Prime Minister’s Office in Singapore. She obtained her PhD in Public Policy from Duke University and Bachelor’s in Economics from Princeton University.

Jason Leow, Youth Caregiver

 Jason has been self-employed in the design industry for 10 years. He is the sole breadwinner for a household of five, including two elderly parents, spouse, and toddler.

More from On Diversity


Season 4 Episode 4: Home Alone and Adulting with Chew Han Ei, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at IPS and Klinsen Soh
Season 4 Episode 3: Hustle Culture and Quiet Quitting with Laurel Teo, Senior Research Fellow at IPS and He Ruiming, Founder of The Woke Salaryman
Season 4 Episode 2: Destigmatising HIV and AIDS with Rayner Tan, Assistant Professor of NUS and Terry Lim, Associate Director of Action for AIDS
Season 4 Episode 1: The Dual Challenges of Poverty and Single Motherhood with Carrie Tan, MP, Founder of Daughters of Tomorrow and Elizabeth Quek, Programme Manager at AWARE
Season 3 Episode 9: Being Biracial in Singapore with Shane Pereira, Research Associate at IPS and Dave Parkash, Co-Founder at Fook Kin Restaurant
Season 3 Episode 8: Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination with Sher-li Torrey, Founder of Mums@Work and Kalpana Vignehsa, Senior Research Fellow at IPS
Season 3 Episode 7: Palliative Care for the Young and Old with Dr Chong Poh Heng, Medical Director at HCA Hospice Limited and Tay Jia Ying, an end-of-life doula and Founder of Happy Ever After
Season 3 Episode 6: Social Worker Burno

The idea of “adulting” and independence is often on the minds of youths, past and present. However, while young people used to wait until they marry before applying for a flat, more young Singaporeans are moving out of their parents' homes and renting a place on their own as a rite of passage to adulthood, a topic explored in the fourth episode of "IPS On Diversity" Season 4.

In conjunction with IPS’ annual flagship conference, Singapore Perspectives 2024, themed around the topic of youths, host Liang Kaixin, Associate Director at the Institute of Policy Studies, engages with Dr Chew Han Ei, IPS adjunct senior research fellow, and Klinsen Soh, a 32-year-old working adult who has chosen to move out before getting married. The episode delves into the motivations and implications of this trend, revealing insights into the challenges and experiences of young adults navigating their journey towards independence.

In this episode, Dr Chew Han Ei discusses findings from the Youth STEPS study, highlighting factors such as the desire for personal space, the impact of the pandemic on work-from-home dynamics, and financial considerations. Klinsen, on the other hand, shares his personal journey, emphasising the importance of creating one's own living space for personal growth and independence.

Find out more about adulting and housing in Singapore:


Straits Times (11 September 2022): Rental, shared housing more appealing to young S'poreans, though most still want to own homes: Study
Channel News Asia (8 May 2023): 'Way over budget': Why some young adults have given up on renting as prices rise
Today (11 September 2021): The Big Read in short: Young, single and living away from parents

 About our guests:

 Chew Han Ei, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Studies  

Chew Han Ei is Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS). He is concurrently an international expert at the UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab and a board member of SG Her Empowerment. During his adjunctship, he is spearheading a new research initiative on digital trust. Dr Chew is a quantitative research specialist and has a keen interest in pursuing research work on social issues, especially on technology adoption in societies.

Some of his key international projects for UNESCO include “Reading in the Mobile Era” and “I’d Blush If I Could — Closing Gender Divides in Digital Skills through Education”. At the IPS, Dr Chew is Principal Investigator of the Youth Study on Transitions and Evolving Pathways in Singapore (Youth STEPS), the first national-level longitudinal study of youths in Singapore funded by the National Youth Council. 

Klinsen Soh, 32-year-old working adult

Klinsen Soh is a public servant at the Ministry of Communications and Information as of January 2023. Aside from his current roles in strategy and foresight, he has experience as an analyst in the fields of AI, transportation and logistics, and geopolitics. His interests include social policy, internet culture, and consumer behaviour. He produces his own podcast and is a freelance stunt actor.

More from On Diversity


Season 4 Episode 3: Hustle Culture and Quiet Quitting with Laurel Teo, Senior Research Fellow at IPS and He Ruiming, Founder of The Woke Salaryman
Season 4 Episode 2: Destigmatising HIV and AIDS with Rayner Tan, Assistant Professor of NUS and Terry Lim, Associate Director of Action for AIDS
Season 4 Episode 1: The Dual Challenges of Poverty and Single Motherhood with Carrie Tan, MP, Founder of Daughters of Tomorrow and Elizabeth Quek, Programme Manager at AWARE
Season 3 Episode 9: Being Biracial in Singapore with Shane Pereira, Research Associate at IPS and Dave Parkash, Co-Founder at Fook Kin Restaurant
Season 3 Episode 8: Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination with Sher-li Torrey, Founder of Mums@Work and Kalpana Vignehsa, Senior Research Fellow at IPS
Season 3 Episode 7: Palliative Care for the Young and Old with Dr Chong P